The aim of the Society is to increase the ollaboration among the faithful of the Church, that is, among the diocesan priests, the male and female religious and the laity, to fulfil fully and more efficiently the apostolic tasks.

We realise such aim in concrete ways in many cases through the institution of the Union of Catholic Apostolate. The Union is an association of faithful who follow the charism of St. Vincent Pallotti by promoting collaboration between lay people, diocesan priests and religious.

St Vincent’s spirituality was especially marked by his deep desire to revive faith to re-enkindle charity as he worked with rich and poor alike. As a child he gave his own food and clothing away to those who saw the need. Throughout his life his constant concern was to relieve the sufferings of those around him. He died shortly after giving his coat to someone else who was cold.

He taught that every human being is a mirror of God, worthy of reverence and love. He also taught that the role of each Christian is to be a sacrament of Christ’s presence in the world. He was a warm friend and a compassionate spiritual director. He died on the 22nd of January 1850, at the centre of his new community, the church of San Salvatore in Onda in Rome.

Vincent was beatified by Pius XII on the 22nd January 1950 and was canonised on the 20 January 1963 by Pope John XXIII who referred to him as a “loving saint who displayed such remarkable love and is one of the outstanding figures in the field of apostolic activity”.

“My God, my mercy, you in your infinite mercy grant me in a special way to promote, establish, spread, perfect and perpetuate with a desire no less than the most living desire within your Sacred Heart.” St Vincent Pallott

The official, Latin name is Societas Apostolatus Catholici, and SAC, the abbreviation used by the Pallottines, stems from the first letters of this name.The Society is part of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate, founded in 1835. Right now the Society counts 2300 members, who live in more than 300 local communities in all continents and in more than 40 countries. As regards the number of members the Pallottines occupy the 17th place among the religious communities of men.Since the members speak more than 40 languages it is not possible to communicate with everyone in his mother tongue. Therefore we use seven “official” languages: English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.The members, priests and brothers, bind themselves to the Society by the promises of chastity, poverty, obedience, perseverance, the sharing of resources and the spirit of service.The basic motto of the Society is the words of St. Paul “the love of Christ urges us” (2 Cor 5,14). Mary, Queen of Apostles, is the Patroness of the Society.